Caisey Jones sets up to fire the softball towards second base during Mustang’s first practice of the season on Monday. (Staff photo by Derek Brown)

By Derek BrownStaff Writer

Mustang softball has only one state title in school history when they were named the champs in 1988. Mustang coach Tim Wade says ‘It’s time.’

The Lady Bronco’s goal year in and year out is to win a Regional Title. You can also add winning a State Title as the ultimate goal. The past few years Mustang has always put themselves in a position to be in the running for the gold ball, but things just have not panned out. This season there is a new smell in the air.

“This is the time, it’s time,” Wade said.

Mustang took the field on Monday for their first fall practice. MHS will field a mixture of experienced and young players on this year’s squad. The Lady Broncos will be led by a trio of skilled and knowledgeable seniors in Laci Joyner, Katelyn Fischer and Kodi Jones.

“We’re going to be a young group this year. Three seniors on the squad. Three good seniors, I’m excited about that,” Wade said.

Mustang lost five seniors to graduation last season and has a few holes to fill with younger athletes.

“Sometimes you have to shuffle and slot them in. That’s kind of where we’re at now,” Wade said. “Probably out of the nine positions on the field we can kind of concretely say this is her spot with three positions.”

The youth and inexperience will be led by a tough senior bunch of experienced athletes. The young players will have to stay on their toes to keep up with the coaching staff and the older players.

“We’ve got good stuff, good kids. They know now the tempo is higher, the expectations are greater, coaches are tougher,” Wade said.

The upperclassmen, on the first day of practice, have already shown that they playing as a team instead of as an individual. There were a few occasions where the upperclassmen were helping the younger players with their technique.

Mustang will open up scrimmages at home against El Reno on Monday at 6 p.m. The Lady Broncos will have a week after their first scrimmage until they host Putnam City West at 6:30 p.m. in a district game in their season opener.

“We’re really limited here finding the right people in the right spot with the right attitude,” Wade said.

Mustang will bring back their shortstop with Joyner, outfielders in Fischer and Kodi Jones, pitchers Jayden Chestnut and Clarissa Clifton. The Lady Broncos will also have an experienced catcher in Jacqlyn Kelm, who took over after catcher Stormi Miller was sidelined last year.